A Better Place to Be(Live; 1975) - Harry Chapin

It was an early morning bar room
And the place just opened up
And the little man come in so fast and
Started at his cup
And the broad who served the whisky
She was a big old friendly girl
And she tried to fight her empty nights
By smilin' at the world
And she said Hey Bub It's been awhile
Since you been around
Where the hell you been hidin'
And why you look so down
But the little man just sat there like he'd never heard a sound
The waitress she gave out with a cough
And acting not the least put off
She spoke once again
She said I don't want to bother you
Consider it's understood
I know I'm not no beauty queen
But I sure can listen good
And the little man took his drink in his hand
And he raised it to his lips
He took a couple of sips
And he told the waitress this story
I am the midnight watchman down at Miller's Tool and Die
And I watch the metal rusting and I watch the time go by
A week ago at the diner I stopped to get a bite
And this here lovely lady she sat two seats from my right
And Lord Lord Lord she was alright
Oh she was so d**ned beautiful that she'd warm a winter's frost
But she was long past lonely and well nigh unto lost
Now I'm not much of a mover or a pick em up easy guy
But I decided to glide on over and give her one good try
And Lord Lord Lord she was worth a try
Tongued tied like a school boy I stammered out some words
But it did not really matter much 'cause I don't think she heard
She just looked clear on through me to a space back in my head
And it shamed me into silence as quietly she said
'If you want me